Missing feathers on eight month old Welsummer.

[notabitail]

This is Gaby, an eight month old Welsummer. She is missing a lot of feathers. Is this something to be worried about? Could she be molting? What exactly is going on here?

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

Is that just on her chest and belly? If so I'd guess it's just a brood patch. Some chickens loose their feathers on their underside as that will help them keep their eggs warm. One of my girls gets a brood patch in spring after she starts laying again (but well before she's gone broody), a couple others get them over the course of the summer, and a few never seem to loose those feathers at all

 

[notabitail]

Is that just on her chest and belly? If so I'd guess it's just a brood patch. Some chickens loose their feathers on their underside as that will help them keep their eggs warm. One of my girls gets a brood patch in spring after she starts laying again (but well before she's gone broody), a couple others get them over the course of the summer, and a few never seem to loose those feathers at all

It is just on her chest and belly area. Mostly belly. I think she goes broody while laying but decides to give up easily.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

It is just on her chest and belly area. Mostly belly. I think she goes broody while laying but decides to give up easily.

The skin looks healthy, no sign of irritation, and if it's just on her belly it's almost certainly a brood patch, so I don't think you have anything to worry about

 

[allosaurusrock]

I agree— totally a broody belly

 

[notabitail]

Ok. I looked again. She also has some missing around her legs as well. That is normal for a broody belly, right?